Key Takeaways from ISB’s 7/2/17 BBQ Speeches

“One of the most exciting things about my job is meeting with powerful people. And by ‘powerful people’ I don’t mean the Secretary of Interior or the President, I mean YOU.”

“The protestors outside Zinke’s meeting in Santa Barbara were heard!”

“When I met with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke in Santa Barbara in April, he said he envisions ‘dozens of offshore oil platforms in the Santa Barbara Channel, but first we have to remove the overly strict regulations imposed as a result of the protected marine sanctuary’. Well the process has started. Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary is on the hit list for possible elimination by the Trump Administration.”

“Nearby Carrizo Plain, Giant Sequoia and San Gabriel Mountains are among the eight California National Monuments in jeopardy.”

“I urge you to provide your comments through the government website; comments are due by July 26, 2017.”

US Congressman Salud Carbajal, CA 24th District:

Rep. Salud Carbajal speaks at ISB Barbecue

“I came to thank YOU, for rolling up your sleeves, making a difference, committing to being engaged at a time when our democracy is in peril.”

“You’re one of the most informed groups in our country, you know what they’re doing to our environment, you know what they’re doing to the most vulnerable…”

“Here are two things you’ll be surprised to know about: I am a member of a bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, consisting of a little over 30 MOCs, who are seeking to find common ground despite the rhetoric. And I am a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, with over 40 bipartisan MOCs, who’s objective is to find common ground on big ticket items.”

“I had a bit of trepidation joining this 2nd caucus, because of a guiding bylaw, whereby if 75% of the group agrees to something, the rest must abide by it. But you can’t have it both ways. You can’t ask for bipartisanship and compromise and then be satisfied when you only get 80 or 90% of what you want. There’s always pain in compromise. But that is what the people we represent expect of Congress. So there is a glimmer of hope for you, but it’s not without a risk.”

“We have not been allowed at the table to craft good bipartisan health care legislation. Democrats stand ready and able to collaborate, but there is no incentive to work on this issue because the majority party is unwilling to negotiate on 1) individual mandates, 2) employer mandates, 3) subsidies or 4) Medicaid expansion. We need to bring premium costs down, expand providers in rural areas, do more to expand the exchanges, and we need to bring about a Public Option.”

“Keep up the good work, keep informing me of what is important to you, thank you for sustaining me, thank you for making a difference, and thank you for fighting for our democracy!”